Unidentified drones were reported flying over multiple Danish military sites, including the nation’s largest base, overnight. This incident follows a series of earlier sightings that the Danish government has classified as a “hybrid attack,” raising suspicions of potential Russian involvement.
Norway is facing a similar situation, with investigations ongoing regarding possible drone sightings near its biggest military facility, Ørland, where F-35 fighter jets are stationed. As both countries navigate these aerial threats, Denmark is preparing to host an important European Union summit on Wednesday and Thursday, prompting heightened security measures.
In collaboration with Sweden, Denmark has accepted an offer of anti-drone technology from Stockholm to ensure that the summit proceeds smoothly and without disruption. Danish military officials confirmed the presence of drones at “several military sites,” although they refrained from disclosing further specifics.
On Friday evening, between 8:15 PM and 9:00 PM local time, Danish police recorded the presence of “one to two drones” hovering around Karup military base, which serves as the primary hub for the country’s armed forces, housing helicopters, airspace surveillance, a flight school, and other essential support functions. Karup base shares runways with the nearby Midtjylland civilian airport, which was temporarily closed during the drone activity, although no scheduled flights were disrupted.
The police spokesperson, Simon Skelkjaer, noted that while they did not engage the drones, investigations are ongoing in conjunction with military forces. Meanwhile, in Norway, officials indicated that at least two drones had appeared in a restricted airspace near Ørland base for roughly an hour before vanishing, with their origins currently unknown.
The emergence of these mysterious drone sightings throughout Denmark and Norway has already led to the closure of several regional airports, following similar incursions of drones in Polish and Romanian territories and violations of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets. These events have heightened tensions in the region, particularly in light of Russia’s ongoing military actions in Ukraine.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen pointed to what she termed “hybrid attacks,” indicating a shift in security concerns within Europe. While the specific actors behind the drone flights have not been identified, Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen emphasized that the operation appeared to demonstrate a level of professionalism, which he believed points towards state-sponsored actions.
Frederiksen has openly implicated Russia in these incidents, asserting that the country poses a major security threat to Europe. In response, the Russian embassy in Copenhagen vehemently rejected the allegations, dismissing them as a “staged provocation.”
Danish Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard noted that the intention behind these aerial incursions seems to be aimed at instilling fear, creating division, and sparking alarm among the public. This escalation comes on the heels of Denmark’s announcement regarding the acquisition of long-range precision weaponry, further emphasizing the emerging threats posed by Russia in the foreseeable future.
In light of these developments, Hummelgaard has indicated that Denmark will enhance its capabilities to detect and neutralize drones. Last Friday, defense ministers from approximately ten EU nations convened to prioritize the establishment of a “drone wall” as a key collective security measure for the bloc. EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius echoed the sentiment, stating that Europe must learn from the ongoing situation in Ukraine and rapidly bolster its anti-drone defenses. He urged for swift action to develop a cohesive strategy with Ukraine to address such aerial threats moving forward.
